Category: Blog Series Page 13 of 217

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for by Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius’ The Cyclopes’ Eye! So, this book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

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Book Details:

Title: The Cyclopes’ Eye by Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius
Genre: Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction
Age Category: Young Adult
Format: Paperback/Ebook
Length: 379 Pages
Publication Date: April 9, 2024

About the Book:

First, they came for his sister’s eye. Now they’re coming for his—and what’s even worse is he deserves it.

Henry has never had anything good happen to him, period. That’s why, after school, he’s going to put on his big-boy pants and confess his love to his best friend—because the universe owes him one, dammit, and he needs a win.

But maybe it wasn’t the best idea to do it on Drill Day—the one day a month that healthcare conglomerate Axiom infiltrates schools across America to select a new candidate to give up one of their eyes, for… research? When the new candidate is selected, Henry’s plans go awry, and he and his friends must figure out how to escape from Axiom. But when the past threatens to eat him alive, things aren’t as easy as they seem.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius (he/him) rarely knows what’s happening. He works in healthcare by day and writes weird fiction and poetry by night. His shorter work has been featured in numerous literary journals and has been nominated for prizes, including Best of the Net. He currently lives in the Chicago area with his unbelievably handsome and perfect dog and cat, and also a human whom he loves. The Cyclopes’ Eye is his debut novel.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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WWW Wednesday—October 29, 2025

By HCNewton

On October 29, 2025

In Books, Currently Reading, News/Misc., WWW Wednesday

Just a couple of days until candy-pocalypse, anyone else dreading the leftovers (and on-sale leftovers at local stores) ruining health/resolutions? Don’t get me wrong–I rather enjoy seeing all the trick-or-treaters and passing out candy. I just wish they’d do a better job of cleaning us out. (if they’d clean us out quickly, so I could actually read something, that’d be even better).

You have enough pre-post banter? Good, me too.

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?


The Broken Detective by Joel Nedecky	How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future by Maria Ressa, read by Maria Ressa & Rebecca Mozo

Am cracking Nedecky’s book open later today. I skimmed the cover a couple of weeks ago when I got it, but remember nothing that I read. All I know is that Run Amok books hasn’t let me down yet. I assume the trend will continue.

I saw Ressa interviewed recently and thought “I want to learn more about her.” And what do you know? She has a memoir (that’ll probably shift into something else later on). I think we’re only into her mid-20s right now, and I’m fascinated. Not that surprisingly, given her career in journalism and activism, she’s a strong audiobook narrator, so bonus points for that.

What did you recently finish reading?


Front Desk by Kelly Yang	The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park by Michiko Aoyama, translated by Takami Nieda, read by: Naruto Komatsu, Kenichiro Thomson, Susan Momoko Hingley, Yuriri Naka & Ami Okumura Jones

Last night, I read the very charming (yet honest about race and immigrant struggles in the mid 90s) Front Desk for a reading challenge. I don’t know that it needs two (at least) sequels, and I doubt I’ll get to them, but I was very satisfied with this MG read.

The Healing Hippo has convinced me that Michiko Aoyma and I should part ways. There’s nothing bad about the book, but I just don’t get the appeal.

What do you think you’ll read next?


The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison	Small Favor by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

The Goblin Emperor is the last Fantasy Book Club read of the year–and it looks like we’re going out strong. Hope so, anyway.

And it’s time for another installment of “HC scrambles to listen to the existing Dresden Files books before Twelve Months is released.” I’m embarassed to admit that I conflate a lot of Small Favor with the next book, Turn Coat, so I’m eager to get some clarification on it.

How are you closing out October?

BBNYA SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: The Edge of a World by JD Rivers

By HCNewton

On October 29, 2025

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for by JD Rivers’ The Edge of a World! So, this book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

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Book Details:

Title: The Edge of a World by JD Rivers
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback/Ebook
Length: 256 Pages
Publication Date: October 15, 2024

About the Book:

A scholar on a journey. A monster in his veins. An unbending truth.

All Otar ever wanted was being part of a community, but the monster in his veins, bent on killing those Otar touches, makes it impossible. It has already slipped his grasp more than once—with devastating consequences.

His desperate search for a cure for his curse leads him to the Ancients and their mysterious ruins. At a newly discovered ruin, past and present collide, and he finds answers beyond imagination…and perilous danger.

Confronted with the truth about his origin, Otar must decide fast what he will sacrifice to save those he holds dear.

The Edge of a World is a Fantasy Sci-Fi story about self-discovery, defying destiny, and paving your own path.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

JD writes queer speculative fiction where they fall deeply and madly in love while figuring out the world around them.

She collects hobbies as others collect books and has an unhealthy addiction watching competitive cooking shows.

JD lives close to the woods with her husband and the cutest dog in the world.

Website ~ Bluesky

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2025 Semi-Finalist badge

BBNYA SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: The Fall of Selvandrea by T. J. McKay

By HCNewton

On October 28, 2025

In Book Tour, Fiction, Science Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for by T. J. McKay’ The Fall of Selvandrea! So, this book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

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Book Details:

Title: The Fall of Selvandrea by T. J. McKay
Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction
Age Category: Adult
Format: Hardcover/Paperback/Ebook/Audiobook
Length: 542 Pages
Publication Date: September 26, 2024

About the Book:

“An epic and GLORIOUS tale.” – Timothy Wolff, author of The Legacy of Boulom series

“A deeply plotted and intricate fantasy with sci-fi flair.” – Melissa Cave, author of the Empire of the Stars series

“Mind blown. The extent of this expansive world Tim McKay has created is incredible.” – Trinity Cunningham, author of The Guardians of the Weldafire Stone series

Remember the wolf.

Remember what’s out there in the dark.

Valdaris was a middling artillery captain before his people fell to a conquering rival.

Then he fell further still, snatched from the battlefield by a ruthless cult and cast into the depths of ultimate evil.

Transformed by powers he can’t begin to understand, Valdaris seeks revenge on those who tried to destroy him. Instead, he’ll face monsters beyond his most terrifying nightmares. He joins with allies caught in the chaos of his war with evil, oblivious to his true nature and the darkness closing in on their world.

Full of dragons, monsters, found family, magical weapons, intense duels, and epic battles, The Fall of Selvandrea follows a vigilante’s quest against malice, greed, and the shadow within. Heroes and villains join against the rising dark, and against a tyrant whose schemes may destroy them all.

And from calamity’s ashes, a new power shall rise.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Tim McKay is an author, editor, and part-time writing professor from Ottawa, Canada. A lifelong pursuer of meaning and joy through the written word — with a small helping of thrills and adventure on the side.

He has degrees in history and public policy, along with a diploma in professional writing, but likes nothing more than hiking in the woods, running along the Rideau Canal, and connecting with the people he loves.

Oh, and reading a good book.

Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Threads ~ Bluesky ~ Facebook

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2025 Semi-Finalist badge

BBNYA SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: The Fated by Katelynsam

By HCNewton

On October 27, 2025

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome today’s BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for by Katelynsam’s The Fated! So, this book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

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Book Details:

Title: The Fated by Katelynsam
Genre: Fantasy, Literary Fiction
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback/Ebook
Length: 334 Pages
Publication Date: January 21, 2025

About the Book:

A mysterious ship.
A promised paradise destination.
A voyage of dreams and nightmares.
Welcome aboard…The Fated.

Every sixteen years a luxurious ocean liner known as The Fated appears at the docks to carry a few lucky passengers to paradise. Yet when people onboard begin disappearing, one woman soon discovers their destination might not be paradise after all.

Amarra Obrel never expects to receive a boarding ticket in the mail. Ever since failing her chance at becoming a concert pianist three years ago, she has spent her days as an elevator operator, resigned to the uninteresting future that seems set before her. When given the opportunity to embark on The Fated, however, she boards with the hope of starting a new life. Yet she soon senses something dark and sinister lurks beneath the ship’s decadent halls, ornate ballrooms, and opulent jazz clubs. When people close to her begin disappearing, she is left with no other choice than to set out and uncover the vessel’s secrets along with fellow passenger Kye-Shin Hura. But instead of providing answers, every discovery leads to more questions—questions about why they were selected for this voyage in the first place and more If not to paradise, then where exactly is The Fated taking them?

With cinematic and haunting prose that blends the genres of fantasy, magic realism, and paranormal, The Fated is the perfect suspenseful and atmospheric read for fans of The Night Circus, Titanic, Hotel Magnifique, and The Midnight Library.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

p align=”left”>As a child, Katelynsam fell in love with stories, and to this day, her passion for creating imaginary worlds and vivid characters has never faded. She wrote her first book at 12 years old, and at the age of 15, she started her long journey towards publishing. After overcoming many obstacles, she is now thrilled to be publishing her stories and sharing them with the world. When not writing, she loves reading, seeking out sunsets, and most recently, learning graphic design to create the covers of her stories. If you would like to hear more about Katelynsam’s day-to-day writing adventures, check out her Dear Writing Diary blog and newsletter on Substack at https://katelynsam.substack.com/. You can also follow her latest writing updates on Instagram (@_katelynsam_).

Substack ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2025 Semi-Finalist badge

BBNYA SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: The Godsblood Tragedy by Bill Adams

By HCNewton

On October 27, 2025

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Bill Adams’ The Pandora’s Box! It looks to be a very different kind of thing than the book I read co-written by him, but looks pretty cool. This book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

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Book Details:

Title: The Godsblood Tragedy by Bill Adams
Series: The Divine Godsqueen Coda
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback/Ebook
Length: 595 Pages
Publication Date: July 23, 2024

About the Book:

An orphan, without a trueborn name, returns to the city of her birth to uncover her past. Hounded by the servants of the Dark God and dying from the poisonous mist that covers the land, her path leads to one of the magical seals protecting the holy ruin of Eminence.

A father, murdered and reborn, aims to bring down the floating fortress hovering over his homeland. Burdened by loss, he’s willing to sacrifice his soul to free his city and get revenge for the destruction of his family.

A mother, captured and bonded to a daemon, kills in the name of the Dark God so she can free her tortured daughter. Relentless in her vengeance, she hunts the one person who could end her suffering: the man who would destroy her vile master.

A drake, the banished hatchling of a failed advisor, seeks his father’s stolen horns. Untested, he desires to right his father’s wrongs in the eyes of the gods and restore his family’s honor.

As all converge in the occupied desert city where the world’s fuel source is mined, one family’s bond will be tested. Old betrayals will resurface, anger and resentment will flourish, but one thing remains clear: blood rules all.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

During his collegiate days at the turn of the century, he began to develop his passion for writing, specifically within the epic fantasy genre about unlikely heroes. Aside from writing, Bill loves movies and reading, especially SFF B-movies. He is a master at Scene It. Bill’s few other hobbies include soccer, a good whiskey, a slice of pizza, and growing a beard. It is the little things he enjoys most. Bill currently lives in the greater Chicago, IL area with his wife, goblin (aka toddler) son, & daughter.

Willow Wraith Press ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Bluesky

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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Saturday Miscellany—10/25/25

By HCNewton

On October 25, 2025

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

Odds ‘n ends about books and reading that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
bullet Identity Stamps: Two new startups, Books by People and Amlet, aim to certify a book’s authenticity in the AI era—It is so sad that this needs to be a thing. It’s also enheartening that it finally is.
bullet Federal judge says Texas law requiring book ratings is unconstitutional
bullet How the Hardy Boys Book Series Cracked the Case of Getting Kids Hooked on Reading
bullet Barnes & Noble’s 2025 Book of the Year Finalists—Ugh. Is it this time of year already? Still, some good-looking books. I’ve read 2 of these finalists, and yeah, they belong on the list.
bullet ABC Radio National named their Top 100 Books of the 21st Century.—as well as the books that didn’t quite make the Top 100
bullet My Conversation with Fake Dan Brown—Lee Goldberg talks about the chat he had with “Dan Brown” last week.
bullet Acquiring My Work: A Primer—Scalzi’s primer might not apply to the author of your choice, but it does give some grounds to consider
bullet Influences – Joe Abercrombie
bullet Exclusive Interview: “Against All Odds” Author Jeffery H. Haskell
bullet Z.B. Steele put together a great (and visually appealing) thread of SFF Book Recs Based on Your Favorite D&D Class—two indie and one trad book per subclass.
bullet A two-fer from The Orangutan Librarian this week: If you like this, try that… Halloween Edition and If you didn’t like this, try that… Halloween Edition
bullet Monthly Manga Mania Featuring Firsty Duelist: Ultraman by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi—I have memories of watching (not understanding, because I was like 5 or 6) Ultraman decades ago. It was just undeniably cool–a manga about him is definitely appealing from the outset. Firsty Duelist made it moreso.

To help talk about backlist titles (and just for fun), What Was I Talking About 10 Years Ago This Week?
bullet Updraft by Fran Wilde
bullet A Serpent’s Tooth by Craig Johnson
bullet And I mentioned the releases of two very different kinds of PI books: Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith and The Unfortunate Decisions of Dahlia Moss by Max Wirestone

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet Death at the Door by Olivia Blacke—A nice sequel for the ghost and roommate amateur sleuth pair. I made a case for reading it last week.
bullet Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It by Cory Doctorow—The book is best summed up by this “it’s not just you—the internet sucks now. Here’s why, and here’s how we can disenshittify it.” I read it, and am glad I did. Even if I despair of any of his suggested solutions happening.
bullet The Land of Sweet Forever: Stories and Essays by Harper Lee—”a posthumous collection of newly discovered short stories and previously published essays and magazine pieces, offering a fresh perspective on the remarkable literary mind of Harper Lee.”
bullet The Broken Detective by Joel Nedecky—”Private investigator Jake Joelsen is going to prison for assaulting his sick mom’s abusive boyfriend, but thanks to a suspended sentence, he has two weeks to earn as much money as possible so he can financially support his mom when he’s inside.” All he has to do is find one missing woman, fight some powerful people, and stay sober.
bullet Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs—”When the deadly werewolf Asil is gifted five blind dates by some anonymous ‘friends,’ his reclusive life will never be the same, in this enthralling novel in stories.” I’ve read one or two of these stories before, and figure I’ll enjoy the others.
bullet The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly—I’m not sure how I didn’t know about a new Lincoln Lawyer book until 2 days after it came out, but this should be as compelling as usual.
bullet Batman: Revolution by John Jackson Miller—I love the idea of a series following up on Burton’s Batman, in this second novel (third if you count the novelization of the movie), we get to meet The Riddler.
bullet Slayers of Old by Jim C. Hines—”Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Golden Girls in this humorous contemporary standalone fantasy about a group of former Chosen Ones coming out of retirement to save the world one last time… it’s a novel about community, second chances, and the healing power of scones.”
bullet Futility by Nuzo Onoh—Okay, this “monstrous, gleeful, bitingly funny tale of murder, body-swapping and bloody vengeance” doesn’t actually sound like my cup of tea (but will appeal to some of you). But that cover is one that I both really want on my shelf and never want to see again. Click to see what I mean.

BBNYA SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: The Night Counsellor by L K Pang

By HCNewton

On October 25, 2025

In Book Tour, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for by L K Pang’ The Night Counsellor! So, this book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

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Book Details:

Title: The Night Counsellor by L K Pang
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Age Category: Young Adult
Format: Hardcover/Paperback/Ebook
Length: 256 Pages
Publication Date: February 23, 2023

About the Book:

When silence dawns, only dusk will break it.

In the shadowy corridors of The Beaumont, a mental hospital haunted by its dark history as an asylum, a disturbing mystery unfolds when in 1953, a woman is found mute, naked, and drenched in blood on the outskirts of West Yorkshire. With no memory of her past and no one to claim her, she is dubbed Patient A and placed under the care of the institution’s staff.

Counsellor Jane Galloway, is drawn to Patient A’s case with a resolve to restore her ability to speak, no matter how unorthodox her methods appear to be. However, her efforts to penetrate the silence meet with stark opposition from the hospital’s rigid hierarchy. The situation takes a spine-chilling turn when whispers in the night link Patient A to a recently discovered corpse.

As Jane edges closer to unravelling the eerie connection between her patient and the mysterious death, she must challenge a web of institutional resistance and hidden agendas. With time running against them, Jane’s quest to help Patient A reclaim her voice grows desperate. But in the harrowing halls of The Beaumont, speaking up can be deadly.

Will Patient A find her voice before the shadows of her past come to silence her forever?

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

L K Pang is a writer whose works are deeply influenced by the gothic classics of Jane Eyre, Rebecca, and Wuthering Heights. She made her debut in 2023 with Moat Hill Hall, a romantic thriller published by Chronos Publishing. It was during this debut that she discovered her passion for exploring the darker corners of the human psyche.

In 2024, she released The Night Counsellor, a gripping 1950s thriller set in a mental hospital in West Yorkshire, which further solidified her love for psychological suspense.

Formerly an architect, L K Pang now dedicates her time to writing, painting, and caring for her family in North Yorkshire, where the haunting landscapes often inspire her creative work.

Her Instagram and Facebook profile handles are @lkpang.author

Facebook ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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Opening Lines: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

By HCNewton

On October 24, 2025

In Fiction, News/Misc., Opening Lines, Quotations

We all know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover (yet, publishing companies spend big bucks on cover design/art and we all do judge them that way). But, the opening sentence(s)/paragraph(s) are fair game. So, when I stumble on a good opening (or remember one and pull it off the shelves), I like to throw it up here (especially if I’m out of time to come up with a post that involves writing on my part). Today seemed like a good day for this.

from Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury:

First of all, it was October, a rare month for boys. Not that all months aren’t rare. But there be bad and good, as the pirates say. Take September, a bad month: school begins. Consider August, a good month: school hasn’t begun yet. July, well, July’s really fine: there’s no chance in the world for school. June, no doubting it, June’s best of all, for the school doors spring wide and September’s a billion years away.

But you take October, now. School’s been on a month and you’re riding easier in the reins, jogging along. You got time to think of the garbage you’ll dump on old man Prickett’s porch, or the hairy-ape costume you’ll wear to the YMCA the last night of the month. And if it’s around October twentieth and everything smoky-smelling and the sky orange and ash gray at twilight, it seems Halloween will never come in a fall of broomsticks and a soft flap of bedsheets around corners.

But one strange wild dark long year, Halloween came early.

One year Halloween came on October 24, three hours after midnight.

At that time, James Nightshade of 97 Oak Street was thirteen years, eleven months, twenty-three days old. Next door, William Halloway was thirteen years, eleven months and twenty-four days old. Both touched toward fourteen; it almost trembled in their hands.

And that was the October week when they grew up overnight, and were never so young anymore….

Opening Lines Logo

BBNYA SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: The Pandora’s Box by L.S. Franco

By HCNewton

On October 24, 2025

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for by L.S. Franco’ The Pandora’s Box! So, this book has made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.

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Book Details:

Title: The Pandora’s Box by L.S. Franco
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Age Category: Young Adult
Format: Hardcover/Paperback/Ebook
Length: 256 Pages
Publication Date: February 23, 2023

About the Book:

A throne that cost his mother’s life.
A prophecy buried through seven worlds.
Magic, myth, and darkness.

When Liam Hale receives a cryptic message on his 14th birthday, he is left with one choice: fulfill the mission his mother started. For that, he needs to embrace his demigod roots, learn his powers, and get initiated into the magical community.

As dark forces grow, shattering the balance between good and evil, Liam must find The Pandora’s Box, hidden in the depths of the Eerie Forest, protected by the sinister Erlking.

Accompanied by a fiercely loyal non-magical friend, a mage apprentice, and two bickering witch-twins, they embark on missions, decoding secrets, and stealing an ancient artifact under the protection of the great centaur Chiron.

But the deeper they go, the harder it is to get out alive.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

L.S. Franco is a Best-Selling Author, Literary Award Winner, proud member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), and member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). She is also a Friends of Worldcon member, supporting the global sci-fi and fantasy community through its most iconic convention.

As a Chief of Strategy, Franco brings sharp structural thinking and visionary planning to her storytelling—crafting intricate plots, complex systems of magic and governance, and expansive multiverse timelines that unfold with purpose and precision.

Franco is known for crafting cinematic, character-driven fantasy set in richly layered multiverses, where magic isn’t just power—it’s system, consequence, and philosophy. Her storytelling blends fast-paced, emotionally raw scenes with a strategic, world-spanning structure that challenges the mind and stirs the soul. Often described as systemic fantasy, her work tackles spiritual warfare, societal collapse, and moral reckoning, all while anchoring the reader in deeply human (and often heartbreaking) character arcs. Her signature style weaves together visual spectacle, intellectual depth, and emotional weight—creating stories that don’t just entertain, but transform.

Born in Niterói, Brazil, she was raised on classic tales, world folklore, and mythology. Her decades as a tabletop RPG game master refined her instinct for improvisation, immersive worldbuilding, and multi-perspective narratives. Her love for psychotherapy and constant study of human behavior breathe emotional depth and psychological realism into her characters.

Now based in the United States, Franco writes with a purpose: to craft stories that linger. Written for her son but meant for all readers, she believes imagination isn’t an escape—it’s a compass. One that can light the way through even the darkest paths.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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